Saturday 3 June 2000

Features & reviews p2

Features & reviews p4

The Talk Show Story (BBC1) was presented by Michael Parkinson. It also featured Michael Parkinson as one of the guests. At several points Michael Parkinson was interviewed by an unseen figure just over the cameraman's left shoulder. Who was that interviewer? I think you can guess. But what will happen to the talk show when Parky dies? You needn't worry. As Clive Anderson revealed, steps have been taken to ensure that the singular penetrative style of whatever it is he does will survive. Even after a nuclear holocaust, commissioning editors have organised things so that Parky and his swivel chair will still be around.

Features & reviews p5

Features & reviews p6

His intergalactic guide to life, the universe and everything was an instant bestseller. But dogged by writer's block, he moved to California and has now turned his attention to endangered species and a new dot.com project. Nicholas Wroe reports